He says introducing a co-payment could make services inaccessible for some patients.

"If we put a $6 or $7 or $15 co-payment on access to a doctor, what it's going to do, it's going to put some of those who are currently able to see a doctor into the marginal group, the second one, and it's going to push some of those in the marginal group, the second one, into the third group where they have no access to a doctor at all," he said.

He says any measures which reduce access to medical services in country areas would be a concern.

"We spend much of our work here in the National Rural Health Alliance trying to get rural people better access to doctors because as you well know, it's a problem, so erecting any further barriers to access a doctor would be a serious setback I'm sure," he said.

The alliance says it will also be closely watching tonight's budget for any changes to Labor's Medicare Locals system.

The Federal Government yesterday released a review of the clinics, which found some of the centres were not functioning well.

The review recommended the Government instead consider a smaller number of high performing bodies.

Agricultural research and development

Meanwhile, the president of agricultural group WAFarmers, Dale Park, says it is vital that promised funding for research and development in the industry is included in the budget.

"One of the things we've seen over recent times is that there's been a diminution of actual money going into research and development and the money that does go in is from companies that can see an immediate return to them," he said.

He says the other main concern is a possible cut in the off-road fuel excise rebate.

"What we're hoping is that the 38 cents we get back for the non-road use at the moment for primary producers will be extended to the additional excise that's going to be increased every six months," he said.